Eucomis plant named ‘EUW061’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Eucomis  cultivar named ‘EUW061’ is disclosed, characterized by unique pink flowers that become darker pink with age. The new variety has a compact growth habit attractive dark pink scape. The new variety is a  Eucomis , normally produced as an ornamental garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Eucomis comosa.

Variety denomination: ‘EUW061’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Eucomis cultivar is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor, Eddie Welsh, in Palmerston North, NewZealand. The objective of the breeding program was to produce newEucomis varieties for ornamental commercial applications. The crossresulting in this new variety was made during January 2001.

The seed parent is an unnamed, unpatented, proprietary seedling ofEucomis comosa. The pollen parent is unknown, as the crossing resultingin ‘EUW061’ was an open pollination, with unidentifiable pollen parents.The new variety was discovered in February 2004 by the inventor in agroup of seedlings resulting from the 2001 crossing, in a commercialnursery in Palmerston North, New Zealand.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘EUW061’ by tissue culture wasfirst performed at a commercial laboratory in Auckland, New Zealand in2006. Plants were kept confidentially in the laboratory, with limitedaccess, and only supplied to the inventor. Subsequently, ‘EUW061’ hasalso been reproduced by leaf and bulb scale cuttings, alsoconfidentially and without access by the public to plant material.Asexual propagation by the above referenced means has shown conclusivelythat the characteristic and unique features of this cultivar are stableand are reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘EUW061’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘EUW061’ These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘EUW061’ as a new and distinct Eucomis cultivar:

-   -   1. Unique pink flower color.    -   2. Attractive flower color change with age, becoming deeper        pink.    -   3. Dark pink scape coloration.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘EUW061’ are similar to plants of the seedparent, in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of thenew cultivar ‘EUW061’ produce flowers of a different color, and alsodifferent colored scapes.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘EUW061’ are comparable to the varietyEucomis comosa ‘Sparkling Burgundy’, unpatented. The two Eucomisvarieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics, however,the new variety ‘EUW061’ differs in having flowers that are more purepink, without the greenish tinge found in ‘Sparkling Burgundy’.Additionally, plants of ‘EUW061’ are shorter, more compact plant withmore green tones in the foliage.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘EUW061’ can also be compared to thecommercial variety Eucomis ‘Reuben’, unpatented. These varieties aresimilar in most horticultural characteristics, however ‘EUW061’ hasdarker pink colored flowers, a darker pink scape, darker colored foliageand an overall smaller plant habit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical plant of ‘EUW061’ grown outdoors, in the ground. Age of theplant photographed is approximately 3 years from a bulb.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a close up of a typical seed pods of‘EUW061’. The photographs were taken using conventional techniques andalthough colors may appear different from actual colors due to lightreflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographictechniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart 2001 except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘EUW061’ plants grown in a greenhouse, andmoved outdoors during Spring Palmerston North, New Zealand. The growingtemperature ranged from 15° C. to 30° C. during the day and from 8° C.to 15° C. during the night. General light conditions are bright, normalsunlight. Measurements and numerical values represent averages oftypical plant types. Plants are approximately 3 years old from a bulb.

-   Botanical classification: Eucomis comosa ‘EUW061’.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to initiate roots: About 45 days at approximately 16° C.-   Root description: Thick, fleshy. Colored near White N155C.

PLANT

-   Age of plant described: Approximately 3 years from a bulb.-   Growth habit: Compact, irregular rosette forming flowering bulbous    perennial.-   Height: Approximately 61 cm to the top of the foliar plane.-   Plant spread: Approximately 52 cm.-   Normal pot size: 1 gal.-   Growth rate: Rapid.-   Branching characteristics: Irregular rosette formation, eventually    forming 4-6 side planlets/bulblets.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Basal Rosette.        -   Quantity per plant.—6 per main bulb.        -   Average length.—Approximately 38 cm.        -   Average width.—Approximately 7.5 cm.        -   Shape of blade.—Strap.        -   Aspect.—Outward arch and upwardly cupped.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Clasping, sheathing. Sheath length: Average 6 cm.            Sheath width: Average 1.5 cm.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture of top surface.—Smooth, shiny.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 146A            margin Near Red-Purple 59B. Young foliage under side: Near            RHS Yellow-Green146B margin Near Red-Purple 59B. Mature            foliage upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 147A margin Near            Red-Purple 59B. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS            Yellow-Green 147B margin Near Red-Purple 59B.        -   Venation.—Type: Parallel. Venation coloration: Near            Yellow-Green 147A, but, darker.

FLOWER

-   Inflorescence description: Terminal racemes; numerous actinimorophic    flowers, segments free, fused tube, flowers face outwardly.-   Natural flowering season: Summer.-   Days to flowering from bulb or plantlet: 150 days.-   Rate of flower opening (individual): 2 to 3 days from bud to fully    opened flower.-   Rate of flower opening (inflorescence): 14-21 days from bud to all    flowers open.-   Inflorescence longevity on plant: 120 days.-   Inflorescence height, excluding scape: Approximately 32 cm.-   Inflorescence width: Approximately 6 cm.-   Individual flower quantity per inflorescence: Approximately 100.-   Persistent or self-cleaning: Persistent.-   Fragrance: Slightly sweet.-   Individual flowers:    -   -   Flower type.—Actinomorphic, side facing with segments free.        -   Length.—Approximately 1.4 cm, excluding tube. Tube length            approximately 1 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 2.7 cm.        -   Petal quantity.—6. Apex: pointed. Base: fused. Margin:            Entire. Texture: Waxy. Petal Length: 1.5 cm. Petal Width:            0.5.-   Color:    -   -   When opening.—Inner surface: Near RHS Green 142B. Outer            surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 63B.        -   Fully opened.—Inner surface: Near RHS Green 142B. Outer            surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 64B.        -   Fading.—Inner surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 59A. Outer            surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 59A.-   Bud:    -   -   Shape.—Oblong.        -   Length.—1.4 cm.        -   Diameter.—0.6 cm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 147B.-   Terminal bracts:    -   -   Shape.—Elliptic.        -   Length.—Approximately 4.5 cm, excluding sheath.        -   Width.—Approximately 1.3 cm.        -   Quantity.—Average 17.        -   Tip.—Pointed.        -   Base.—Sheathing.        -   Margin.—Entire. Color Upperside: Near RHS Red 49B, flushed            and margin Red-Purple 59A. Color Underside: Near RHS Red            49B, flushed and margin Red-Purple 59A.-   Pedicels:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 2 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.2 cm.        -   Aspect.—Approximately 45° angle to point of attachment,            straight.        -   Strength.—Strong , flexible.        -   Color.—Near RHS Red-Purple 59B.-   Scape:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 65 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 1.6 cm.        -   Aspect.—Approximately 90° angle to rosette.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Color.—Near RHS Red-Purple 59A.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:    -   -   Number.—6.        -   Filament length.—1 cm.-   Anthers:    -   -   Length.—1.1 cm.        -   Shape.—Linear.        -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 154C.        -   Pollen.—Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 154B. Quantity:            Moderate.-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—1.        -   Length.—0.9 cm.        -   Style.—Length: 0.5 cm. Color: Near RHS Red-Purple 59A.        -   Stigma.—Shape: Conical. Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 154C.            Ovary Color: Near RHS Red-Purple 59A.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits:    -   -   Description.—Trilocular capsule. Irregular seed count, seeds            small, approximately 0.1 cm, black, round.        -   Fruit color.—Near RHS Greyed-Purple 187B. Shiny, highly            ornamental.        -   Longevity.—Approximately 10 weeks.-   Disease/pest resistance: Good resistance to soil and foliage    pathogens and pests common to Eucomis has been observed.-   Temperature tolerance: The new variety exhibits a good temperature    tolerance range for Eucomis. Good tolerance for temperatures between    −5 to 35° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Eucomis plantnamed ‘EUW061’ as herein illustrated and described.